Unpardonable sin

Calvinism (the strict variety) says that the Lord pre-ordains (from before creation) those he'll redeem, sanctify and bring into his kingdom. Seems that the system is rigged? Arminism at the opposite end of the "Reformed" church says "once saved always saved." Meaning there is an aspect of self-determinism. An awakening to the truth, that results in a choice.

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." John 3:5

Scripture says that men can permanently end their hope of Heavenly relations -- by denying Christ. Which by implication must mean we have a choice; and among big theological questions circulates those on the existence and extent of free will.

Blasphemy "... the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for a religious deity or the irreverence towards religious or holy persons or things."

Opposite contempt is reverence. "The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding." Job 28:28

Warning: this is a hard read. And a bit longer than usual...

Spoiler alert: Christians need to begin this study by pointing fingers at ourselves (first removing the beam from our own eye...)

The "Emergent Church" has drifted significantly. But so also have traditional "conservative" denominations. Doctrines have surprising similarities and subtle differences across church boundaries.

Do apostasy and blasphemy overlap? Which acts are unpardonable? Which beliefs are apostasy?

Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you." Deuteronomy 4:2

"And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." Rev. 22:19

Clearly included in scripture but seldom (and thinly) taught is the issue of Presumptive sin. The Example of Korah's Rebellion directly follows instruction in Numbers 15 on sin of presumption.

“‘But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or alien, blasphemes the Lord, and that person must be cut off from his people. Because he has despised the Lord’s word and broken his commands, that person must surely be cut off; his guilt remains on him.’” Numbers 15:30-31

This is then illustrated by the story of Korah and his followers when they presumed to assert position and power, replacing the anointed leaders of the Lord.

"Korah... rose up against Moses. With ... 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council. They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?” Nu. 16:1-3.

Korah rebelled against and "presumed" equality with the Lords' appointed men and processes ... and suffered the judgement consequences. He and his people were swallowed by the earth. Quite an image -- to be damned directly to hell.

As emerging church doctrines reinterpret, replace, even substitute new theology for biblical doctrines, God may act very quickly. God is not patient in His treatment of deceptive leaders (ones who use Christianity for the pursuit of wealth, power and fame.) This is open rebellion against the truth. Perhaps within a single generation we will witness Gods wrath.

Apostasy is '... defection or revolt', from (or) is the formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of a religion by a person.

Emergent doctrines aren't Apostasy. They are Blasphemy, and sins of purposeful presumption. Selective reinterpretation of scripture to exert an extra-biblical inclusiveness is this kind of error. Examples include prosperity by faith, divorce, couples living together out of wedlock, LGBT clergy.

"Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." 1 John 2:18-19

God loves us each and everyone, but we must accept his law, not attempt to justify our error. The examples given above are not "sins unto death" ... but are opportunities to turn ... "repent! for the Kingdom of heaven is near." The do's and don'ts are clearly given in scripture. Changes taking place in our churches are important for true believers to note and respond to:

"If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death." 1 John 5:16-17

Since Jesus claimed to be the "...way, the life and truth..." rebellion against His message of salvation is the very definition of the unpardonable sin. There is no way to the Father except through the Son, and so rejecting the Son means eternal separation from the Father -- an unpardonable sin against the free, divine gift of saving Grace.